Illinois Notary

Compared to other states, Illinois has few eligibility requirements to become a notary. The process is simple and affordable.

 To become a notary in Illinois, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
• Have been a resident of Illinois for at least 30 days or a resident of a state bordering Illinois and have been employed or maintained a business in Illinois for at least 30 days.
• Be able to read and write the English language.
• Never had a notary public commission revoked or a prior application revoked due to a finding or decision by the Illinois Secretary of State.
• Never been convicted of a felony.

If you meet the above eligibility requirements, here’s what you need to do to become a notary in Illinois:

1. Purchase a four-year $5,000 Illinois notary bond (required by Illinois law). Illinois State requires all traditional notary applicants to maintain a $5,000 notary bond for the duration of their notary terms. The notary bond protects the public from errors made by an Illinois notary. Our Illinois notary bonds come with a four-year, $5,000 notary errors and omissions insurance policy at no additional cost to you. Click here to purchase a four-year, $5,000 notary bond.

2. Take an approved notary course and pass the final exam. All new notary applicants and notaries renewing their notary commissions are required to successfully complete a notary course and score an 85% or better on the final exam. The American Association of Notaries (an approved course provider) offers an Illinois notary course for as little as $29. We offer the notary course as part of a renewal application package, or you can register for the course separately.

3. Complete an Illinois notary application on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website. You can now submit an application for notary public on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website for faster approval. When completing the application online, you will be asked to upload your notary bond and your notary course certificate of completion. There is an application filing fee due: $15 for a traditional notary commission and $40 if you would like to add an electronic notary commission. Once your application is approved, the secretary of state will email you a link to download your Illinois notary commission certificate.

4. Purchase a notary stamp and a notary journal. Illinois notary law requires notaries to use an inked notary stamp to authenticate all notarial acts performed. Our notary stamps and notary journals conform to Illinois notary law and come with a lifetime replacement warranty. No questions asked! Click here to order your Illinois notary supplies.